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Fulani Disown Attackers In Benue, As Governor Suswam Calls For Total War On Invaders

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam
Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam

Fulani people in Benue state, under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Association have disassociated themelves from the latest attacks on farmers in many parts of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states in particular by those claiming to be Fulani herdsmen.
Governor Gabriel Suswam, who said that this position was made known to him when he held an all-night meeting with leadership of Miyetti Allah at the Government House in Makurdi last night, insisted that the attackers are mercenaries that infiltrated the state and other parts of the country to excerbate the security challenges.
Governor Suswam spoke today at the Presidential Villa, when leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), paid solidarity visit on President Jonathan.
“I have  interacted with a lot Fulani friends and they have told me that those people are not the fulanis that are indigenous to Nigeria. “Last night, the President General of Miyetti Allah spent the night with me in Benue state. He told me there was a need for us to form a joint force: that is the Benue and the Fulani communities to fight these people who are creating these problems which clearly shows that these are people who are foreign even to the fulanis that we know.”
He said that the people are worried because elections are around the corner, adding that he had always believed that it is not just the Fulani herdsmen that are doing what they are doing in the zone but some insurgents who are camouflaging as Fulani men.
“Mr. President, what we have witnessed lately are well trained people who are trained to kill and destroy and the manner of destruction is so massive and is unimaginable. The North Central is very worried. The state mostly affected are Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue.
Governor Suswam said that the Fulani men that are well known and who have lived with Nigerians are part and parcel of the North Central, adding: “we know that they carry sticks  and at times, few of them carry dane guns to catch bush meat for Tiv people.”
The governor expressed surprise anf worry that inspite of the magnitude of destruction that is going on, no one person has so far been arrested.
“We are worried that without appropriate sanctions, they will continue with impunity because once people are not sanctioned, they don’t take that serious and I think the appropriate example must be shown.
Mr. President, you must insist that your security must arrest these people. If you see the level of destruction and the fact that no person has been arrested, It becomes worrisome. Mr. President, how these people get their arms, because they are carrying very sophisticated weapons, is also an issue that we are worried about and I believe that Mr. president is also very worried because all of us swore to the constitution to protect lives and property.
“But in a situation where we have some evil men deliberately conniving with some forces that we believe are subterranean, to destroy this country and the good achievements that you have put in place should be something that should worry all of us. So, the governors of the zone ask me to urge you to continue to put in all efforts in addressing these very important security problems.”

President Jonathan Describes Governors’ Forum Under Gov. Amaechi As Monster

JONATHAN IN MEDIA CHAT
President Goodluck Jonathan has finally opened up on the circumstances leading to the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, saying that at a point, the Forum, under governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was a monster.
The President, who spoke today when leaders and stakeholders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from North Central geographical zone, paid him a solidarity visit at the Presidential Villa, thanked the zone for saving him and his office from embarrassment by producing governor David Jonah Jang of Plateau state to lead the Forum.
“When the Governors’ Forum became a monster and we had a lot of challenges, it was the North Central that came on board to stabilize the governors’ forum.
“The way some of the governors talk and behave, if 50 percent of the governors behave that way, probably, we would have vacated this place and allow others to come and manage it for us. But they (the North Central) have been able to help to stabilize the whole country.
The President acknowledged that North Central zone has been able to produce very great leaders that are patriotic leaders.
He promised to continue to work with the zone and encourage the people to be more supportive.
“As we approach elections next year, let us know the problems on time; we will work with you to ensure PDP continues to maintain the zone.
On security challenges facing Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states in particular, President Jonathan said that already security personnel have been drafted to and are moving in to the trouble spots to strengthen the conventional security apparatus.
He said that he is working very hard with  the National Security Adviser’s office to make sure that the security challenges across the country, whether in Borno state or the kidnapping in Edo state, Bayelsa state, Rivers state, Abia state and so on are tackled.
“We are coming up with different architecture that will deal with this insurgency. As we progress, we will begin to bring the situation under control.”
The North Central PDP stakeholders were led to the Villa by former National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmadu Ali and made up of PDP governors, Senators (including Senate President, David Mark), House of Representatives members, elders and party leaders from the zone.

Namadi Sambo Goes Hunting For Investors In Saudi Arabia

World fifth Richest
Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo is in Saudi Arabia to meet with the Forbes 5th richest man in the world, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud in search of more investors in the Nigeria’s economy.
The Vice President, at the meeting which held yesterday at the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, the Federal Capital, briefed the Saudi Prince on what he called, the giant strides Nigeria is making in its developmental drive.
He said that the recently concluded privatization of the power sector, the opportunities that abound in the development of Gas infrastructure as well as government’s plan to invest $1billion in the sector encouraged the government to go out to seek for more investors even as he assured the billionaire of the viability of the sector.
Namadi Sambo also talked about the development in the upstream and downstream sectors of the economy as regard marginal fields, refineries, chemical as well as fertilizer plants. According to him, opportunities in the transport sector such as the deep sea ports, railways, and roads to be constructed on a public private partnership abound.
The vice president called for investments in the local sugar production, dams with facility to develop irrigation, the industrial framework for Nigeria in the automobile industry, development of steel and other solid mineral deposits, coal to power plant as well as Halal Meat industry.
Namadi Sambo hinted that the Centenary City project required private investments, adding that the planned regional routes that connect Lagos (in Nigeria)–Benin Republic-Togo-Ghana-Cote D’Ivoire which agreement would soon be signed.
He assured the prince that Nigeria would provide the enabling environment for investors to participate in business and thanked him for the confidence he has in Nigeria.
Prince Alwaleed said that he had had a long-term investment in Nigeria in the Oil & Gas sector and that he is also involved in a chain of businesses in the hospitality industry, construction, Oil & Gas as well as many others. Some of his businesses include the Fairmont, Four Seasons and the Citygroup.

Wonders President Jonathan Has Done To Nigeria Health Sector, By Josephine Babatunde

DOCTORS AT WORK
By now it is clear to right thinking Nigerians that the transformation embarked upon by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has impacted positively in all the sectors of the body politic, never mind his opponents who are wont to harangue him on every issue under the sun.
As a mother of four children, not a politician but a law abiding citizen of this country who would always call a spade a spade, the transformation in the health sector since the inception of this administration, is the best since the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates of Nigeria.
Having lived both in the rural and urban areas, I have come to the conclusion that the achievement of the administration in the improvement of the health sector has shamed those health tourists who always leave bag and baggage for India to seek medical attention.
Do you know that the maternal mortality rate has dropped by more than 50 per cent since the transformation agenda began to crystallize in the health sector and there is a heightened hope that before the end of the first tenure of this administration, it would have been reduced to zero percentage?
Is it not worthy of mention that women who are expectant do not need to lose their sleep because the health policy of the President Jonathan’s administration has given hope to expectant mothers through provision of quality health facilities?
Now, it is no more news that most  of the ailments that force most Nigerians to foreign lands have been successfully taken care of in our University Teaching Hospitals scattered all over the country.  In what appears miraculous, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital has been successfully and progressively carrying out surgical operations on patients who have heart problems in the country.
Ditto for the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, and this particular ailment has caused a massive capital flight in the past as most patients seek solution in Indian Hospitals.
It is a thing of joy that people with sickle cell anemia can heave a sigh of relief as the University of Benin Teaching Hospital has successfully treated patients of this ailment and they are back to normal life and have been confirmed to be free from the sickness.
It is on record that since the inception of this administration, there has been an improved access to primary healthcare in the country.  For instance, it is to the credit of this administration that guinea worm epidemic has been totally eradicated in the country to the point that the World Health Organization has certified the country free of the disease.
It is under this administration that the Saving One Million Lives initiative was introduced; and, since the introduction of this scheme, over 433,650 lives have been saved from November 2012 to June2013. It is under this administration that 1500 primary healthcare facilities have been refurbished and supplied essential drugs, and if you visit clinics in your locality, there is a genuine drug to administer to diseases.  The administration caused the establishment of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and that initiative has been able to reduce the spread of diseases that ordinarily would have decimated millions of Nigerians.
It is not only in providing facilities that the administration has excelled; it is on record that there is a progressive training of health personnel to manage the facilities provided. The Overseas component of the Residency Training Programme to build the capacity of health professionals with over 60 doctors benefiting is the fallout of the training policy embarked upon by the administration to transform the health sector.
Capacity for kidney transplant has been strengthened within the last one year with Lagos University Teaching Hospital and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital joining the league, and this has again drastically reduced the capital flight to the foreign land by health tourists Does this not call for celebration?
Since this administration launched the community-based Health Insurance Scheme, the scheme has been fully established in a number of communities in 12 states, thereby granting medical access to poor Nigerians.  In the same vein, Health insurance coverage has increased from 6 per cent in 2011 to 8 per cent in 2013.
In the area of immunization, since the inception of this administration, the National Immunization Coverage has increased from 38 per cent in 2012 to 82 per cent in 2013, thereby securing the future of our children health-wise.
Malaria, which has been a silent killer for a very long time in the country, has been caged since the inception of this administration.  There are indices on the ground that the administration has concluded plans to eradicate malaria before the end of its first tenure.  For the first time in the history of this country, the Federal Government introduced a curriculum for the training of the paramedics, in a bid to bringing health personnel to the door of the citizens across the country.  In 2013, government recruited 11,300 frontline health workers who were deployed to under-served communities across the country to end the era of the dearth of medical personnel. This crop of medical personnel recruited by the government has been able to save over 400,000 lives through various interventions.
For the first time in the history of this country, there has not been any transmission of the Type 3 Wild Polio virus for more than one year.
While it may not be good politics for the opposition not to see anything good in these strides, the beneficiaries on the ground, the average Nigerians, would wish for continuation, despite the cacophony of noises in the media that seek to drown the true transformation.
• Josephine Babatunde sent this piece from Festac Town, Lagos.

I Won’t Leave Office Until I Transform Warri, Governor Uduaghan Vows

 

Emmanuel Uduaghan
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has vowed that he would not leave office until he has succeeded in transforming Warri town into modern city.
The Governor, who spoke at the funeral service of late Pa Nawe Eric Akporiaye in Warri at the weekend, emphasized the determination of his administration to fully implement his agenda to transform Warri city before leaving office.
Dr. Uduaghan observed that the late Akporiaye, who was father of the Chief Medical Director of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Dr. Leslie Akporiaye, represented a generation of Warri indigenes that stood for unity and harmony among the ethnic groups that dwell in the city.
He expressed concern over what he called ethic distrust that now prevails in the city, sayiny that Warri used to be famous not necessarily because of industrialization but for people like Akporiaye who were worthy ambassadors of the city.
Governor Uduaghan called on various ethnic groups in the state and Warri in particular to borrow a leaf from their progenitors and learn to live in unity and join hands with his administration’s determination to restore the lost glory of the city.
The Governor gave  assurance that his administration is committed towards making Warri town the envy of others in the country.
Dr. Uduaghan disclosed that his government is executing some projects that include traffic control, junction improvement, road rehabilitation and expansion, general improvement in transport infrastructure, waste management and more, adding these are part of measures towards transforming the urban areas and cities in the State.
Governor Uduaghan decried poor sanitary habits, indiscriminate trading and parking on walk ways and on streets, even as he made it clear that his government would soon come out with measures against such practices.
In a sermon, the officiating minister, Reverend Justin Okoroji (Junior) charged the living to take the Biblical water of life and live right to enjoy divine favour.
He emphasized that man would certainly account for his days before God “hence the need to be sure we finish well on earth.”

President Jonathan Over-Pampers Christians In Nigeria, Muslim Group Alleges

Professor Ishaq Akintola
Professor Ishaq Akintola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is over-pampering christians in Nigeria, even as it accused Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of continued provocation of Muslims whenever they complain of marginalisation.
In a statement, signed by the Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Muslim group recalled how the Secretary-General of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Musa Asake, accused the Sultan and the delegation of Muslims who visited President Jonathan on Wednesday 26th March, 2014, of polarizing the country along religious lines and attempting to frustrate the ongoing national conference.
The group said that it has decided to put the records straight for those who are prepared to face facts, not sentiments, citing as
exemple, that only 4 Muslims among the 15 delegates approved for North Central (including Kwara, Niger, and Kogi); only 1 Muslim among the 15 delegates from the South-West; only 2 Muslims out of 6 retired police officers, only 1 Muslim out of 6 retired military and security personnel and, to crown the monumental edifice of marginalisation, only 6 Muslims out of 20 delegates picked by the Federal Government.
“These facts are incontrovertible and the Sultan put them before President Goodluck Jonathan. The delegates are there and anybody can do the counting. So what is CAN’s problem? Instead of throwing stones or inciting his followers against the Federal Government, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, in his characteristic way of dealing with matters, persuaded Muslims to be patient and told them that the matter would be looked into.
“He then sought and secured audience with the presidency, led a delegation of members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to complain about the lopsidedness in the composition of delegates of the national confab. “President Jonathan listened attentively to what the Sultan had to say and promised to look into the matter.
Now what is CAN’s business in this? NSCIA knows the way to CAN’s office. They did not go there. They went to the man at the helm of affairs who is the father of all.
“When one child feels that the father has not given him his due, he goes to the father for his rightful share and not to the other child who has been over-pampered. It is not for the over-pampered child to attempt to block the chance of the marginalized child otherwise he steps into the realm of selfishness.
“This matter is between President Jonathan and the Muslims and courtesy demands that CAN keeps off.
CAN secretary therefore overstepped his bounds and poked his nose into a matter over which he cannot pronounce judgement. “This is a matter that belongs exclusively to the presidency. Instead of playing the role of an advocatus diaboli, we expect CAN secretary to provide counter data proving us wrong. It is a civilized world and we should work with facts and figures. We urge CAN secretary to do his home work. This is a shoddy response. He should stop heating up the polity.
“We advise President Jonathan not to allow CAN to ride on his back in its unholy attempt to get more than it deserves, deprive the Muslims of their rightful share and usurp their Allah-given and fundamental rights. These are acts capable of disturbing the peace, law and order.
“Mr. President must act in loco parentis, like a good and just father, to be fair to all, just as he has promised. We remind the president that Justice is the Soul of Peace.
“Finally, MURIC believes that Nigeria will be a better place when we have a good Christian or a good Muslim as president because the fear of God or Allah will make him do the needful and satisfy all righteousness.
To defeat terrorism, we must start listening to those who follow the path of dialogue, those who lodge complaints using civilized and peaceful means.

Boko Haram Detainees Attempt To Take Control Of Security Headquarters In Abuja, Heavy Gufire Leaves 30 Dead

Maryline Ogar
Maryline Ogar

No fewer than 30 persons were killed this morning when Boko Haram insurgents attempted to seize the national headquarters of the Department of State Security, otherwise known as State Security Service (SSS).
Latest report on the incident said that a large number of the casualties are believed to be members of Boko Haram. No fewer than 100 members of the Boko Haram sect are detained in the SSS facility.
Report had it that attempt to seize control of the SSS headquarters led to a heavy gun battle that began at about 8am and didn’t end until about 11.30am.
The SSS headquarters is less than 100 metres from the Aso Presidential Villa, the offices and residences of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, none of whom was in the Villa at the time of the attack.
Earlier report today had attributed the gunfire that shoot Presidential Villa to attempt jail break by members of the sect.
The vicinity of the Villa has since been barricaded as guns boomed with Armoured Personnel Carriers.
The DSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar had said earlier that the gunfire occurred from an attempt by some detained Boko Haram suspects to break jail.
“What happened was that the suspects’ handlers went to feed the detainees here but suddenly they attacked him with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.
“The military was quickly called in before they could do any harm and that is responsible for the shootings you heard.
“It was an attempted jailbreak but it has been brought under control.”
Ogar’s full statement reads thus.
At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the Headquarters to feed the suspects. One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.
2.The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. The situation has since been brought under control.
3.Further details will be communicated.
Marilyn OGAR, msi
Deputy Director, Public Relations
Department of State Services
30th March, 2014

Osaze Devastates Hull, Moves Stoke Up Premiership Table

Peter Osaze Odemwingie
Peter Osaze Odemwingie

Stoke City remain on course to achieve their best points total in the Premier League after a hard-working victory over Hull at the Britannia Stadium.
Peter Osaze Odemwingie’s well-taken goal, his third in as many games, was enough to secure the win for Mark Hughes’s men.
Hull’s Liam Rosenior had the best chance of the first half, but could not find the target with a free header.
Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic pulled off a superb save from David Meyler’s deflected shot after the break.
Victory moved the Potters onto 40 points, and they need eight more from their final six matches to ensure their best tally since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2007-08.
They have already beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal at home this season, and have lost just once in their past nine league games.
Hull, meanwhile, may be peering nervously towards the relegation zone having taken just three points from the past 15 available, though they still hold a seven-point advantage over 18th-placed Cardiff.
Steve Bruce’s men had the better of the chances in the opening period, and almost opened the scoring through midfielder Tom Huddlestone, who had a low drive from outside the area pushed away by Begovic.
The Tigers, who returned to the top flight in the summer after a three-season absence, soon had a better chance to break the deadlock, but defender Rosenior headed over from close range.
Odemwingie then had two chances to score, but dragged an effort wide before having a shot well gathered by stand-in Hull goalkeeper Steve Harper.
But it was Begovic who pulled off the save of the match at the other end, clawing away Meyler’s powerful deflected strike, with striker Nikica Jelavic unable to slot home the follow-up.
Former West Brom striker Odemwingie finally found the net just after the hour mark, intercepting Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross-field pass before surging forward to drive home a low finish.
With the visitors unable to force an equaliser, Stephen Ireland could have made it a more comfortable margin of victory, but his shot was tipped over by Harper.

Nigeria Police Sliding Into Despotism, Says Guild Of Editors

AdesinaNigeria Guild of Editors has accused Nigeria Police, especially the Abia state Command, that stormed the Lagos home of Associate Editor of the Sun newspaper, Mr. Ebere Wabara, abducted him and moved him to Umuahia.
The Guild said this is relapsing into colonial mentality and sliding into despotism.
In a statement, the deputy national President, Aishatu Sule described the abduction of Mr. Wabara as a crossing of the line by the police, from civility to despotism.
Mr Wabara, who doubles as Special Assistant, Media, to former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has since been taken to Umuahia, where he is to be arraigned on charges of sedition.
Aisha said the editors were completely stupefied at the conduct of the Abia State Police which she said has decided to exhume a colonial law from the statute book at a time like this.
“It tends to indicate that while the rest of the country is moving forward, the police in Abia are marooned in an inglorious past.
“If Mr Wabara has broken any law of the land through his writings, the decent thing to do is to invite him to make explanations. If such explanations are unsatisfactory, he should then be charged to court.”
The NGE boss said that for police to have stormed his come in commando fashion, and whisked him hundreds of kilometres away smacks of a country yet to come to the realities of democratic rule and civility.
“We cannot afford to remain consigned in such inglorious morass.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors calls for the immediate release of Mr. Wabara, and if he then needs to answer any question, it should be done according to civil and decent norms. “The media, alongside other patriotic institutions, fought for
the democracy the country enjoys today. “We, therefore, call on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector-General of Police, M.D Abubakar, and other well- meaning Nigerians to intervene, and ensure that sanity prevails.
Also, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the arrest of Wabara and called for his immediate release.
A statement by the national secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman
Reads: “the arrest and detention of veteran Journalist, Ebere Wabara by the Police on the orders of the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji clearly shows
that Nigeria, after about 15 years of uninterrupted democracy, is yet to move away from the anti democratic legal practices that characterized its former
military regimes, where indiscriminate arrests and prolonged detentions were
the order of the day.
The Associate Editor of  The Sun Newspapers , was arrested yesterday in his house in Lagos, detained briefly at the Aguda Police station also in Lagos
before being transferred to Abia State and detained, to be charged with sedition.
We are further worried that this arrest and detention runs contrary to common sense and the law. It is also our contention that no responsible government,
especially the one likes ours that continues to pride itself on its democratic
credentials should be seen to be arresting and detaining its citizens
indiscriminately. If this act of impunity is allowed to continue, none of us will feel free and secure.
It is unfortunate that the government of Abia state had openly shown its bias in this case as everything conceivable is being done to frustrate the release of
Ebere Wabara and to prolong his detention while his family continues to be
psychologically traumatized.
We vehemently protest over and repudiate the actions of government and authorities who make a mockery of the freedom of expression and commitments
to pluralism and democracy when they encourage a culture of impunity and
lawlessness against the media.
Holding Journalists like Wabara clearly carries the imprint of Military regimes, and we hasten to caution our Leaders who are beneficiaries of the struggle by the media to entrench democracy to avoid such acts of impunity if we desires to
succeed in our quest for national development, and the import of this must never be lost on such Leaders.
Release Wabara unconditionally and the time to stop such acts of impunity is long overdue.

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